Sandton City shopping centre in Johannesburg has been undergoing massive refurbishment and expansion for some time now. Its new expansion is set to launch on 10 November.
Added to the already comprehensive shopping options will be a number of leading international retail brands.
The super-regional shopping centre’s landmark expansion and refurbishment project involves interior refurbishments and 30 000sqm of newly built retail space.
“Sandton City is one of the largest shopping centres in Africa. Its popularity, robust mix of local and international leading fashion brands and its successful trading record have made it a first choice for retail groups seeking to introduce unique new retail concepts to the cosmopolitan South African market,” says Julie Hillary, general manager Sandton Region for Liberty Properties. “A dynamic retail mix has been achieved which complements and enhances Sandton City’s existing retailers.”
The expansion will add a further 69 stores to Sandton City, bringing the number of stores to some 360. Sandton City’s entire retail space, including the extension, will total 143 690sqm on completion of this phase. This will take the complex, which includes the hotel and office component, to 215 000sqm.
The Busby Group already has 13 stores in Sandton City and will be expanding its presence in the extension, including the introduction of a new concept Guess accessory store.
“The expansion of Sandton City adds an increased breadth of range for shoppers. The new variety and sheer size of the shopping centre will serve to draw more feet to the centre and grow overall revenue,” says Veronique Shera, MD of Busby Retail.
“It will also continue to enlarge Sandton City’s reach which is already far wider than previously with the introduction of the Gautrain, and the superbly situated Sandton Gautrain station.”
The Surtee Group is opening a flagship Lacoste store. Fazel Surtees says: “There has been a scarcity of retail space at Sandton City and the expansion of the centre has allowed us to showcase brands on a better level and introduce new brands to the centre, the country and the continent.”
Taking its first step into Africa with the Surtee Group at Sandton City is Italian luxury brand Paul & Shark. Previously available exclusively through the Surtee Group’s Levinson’s, it will now be featured in a mono-brand store. The new 120sqm shop is being designed and manufactured in Naples and flown to South Africa. It will be identical to the Paul & Shark’s store in the fashion capital of Milan on Via Montenapoleone.
“Paul & Shark already have a strong following in South Africa and, as such, it is set to become a unique destination store,” says Surtees.
These are just some of the international brands that will be present in the mall.
The R1.77-billion first phase of the Sandton City redevelopment is being undertaken by Liberty Properties on behalf of owners Liberty Group (75%) and Pareto Ltd (25%). The extension is due to open to shoppers in November this year, ensuring Sandton City’s continued dominance of South African retail and relevance to its market.
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